October 18, 2013

Knoxvillians say transition to socks has been 'frustrating'

Knoxville is among many East Tennessee cities transitioning to the wearing of socks. Some critics say the change has been a huge shock to the city's feet, many of which have not been prepared for the sudden shift in temperature and suffocating encasement in cloth.

But supporters say socks make good sense given that the earth's axis is tilting away from the sun.

University of Tennessee student Keisha Davis said the idea behind socks is simple.

"When autumn was rolled out, socks were exactly what I was looking for as a person with legs and feet," she said. "Now I don't have to shave my legs and get pedicures all the time. Plus the mornings have been cold lately and these socks keep my feet cozy. Why wouldn't someone want that?"

"Socks are a sensible clothing choice," agreed Kirstin Elkins. "They can coordinate with your outfit. They can have cute cats or dogs on them. And your feet don't get cold when you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night."

But some people with feet said the transition to socks has not been so easy.

"Feet were not made to be shuttered away in woolen sacks," said enemy of cloth footwear Rob Pearson. "This is an affront to nature. My feet get all sweaty within hours of putting on socks. This is just madness. Sweaty, sweaty madness."

Chris Lane said the change has been too abrupt and felt that his feet were not properly equipped to wear socks.

"I'm also seeing a few people in toe socks, which is a threat to everything America stands for, and probably an insult to God Himself," he said. "Feet aren't hands and they should never be forced into rainbow foot gloves."

Others said that they are slowly adjusting to socks by wearing a pair every other day, an approach designed to get feet familiar with the item of clothing.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction, no pun intended" said Samantha Murray. "Flip flops and Chacos are no longer working. Something has to be done, and soon. My feet are freezing."